ITunes multiple computers

Okay, I've copied my iTunes library onto another computer on my home network. How do I keep them in sync with each other?

There are some programs you can purchase to do this. You could have a look at this one or an internet search will throw up a few more: syncOtunes Mac and Windows Versions

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Question about upgrading iTunes multiple computers with shared library

Greetings,
I have a question about upgrading to the current version of iTunes.
Currently, my household uses 3 Mac computers (2 Powerbook 17in laptops and a Mack Mini). We are all (currently) on system 10.4.11 (with iTunes 9.2.1). Between the 3 computers we have a shared iTunes music and video library on a networked high capacity hard drive.
We recently purchased an iPad. In order to make it easy for updates and to use media from our iTunes shared library I decided that we should upgrade the systems on our home computers to Snow Leopard. I have ensured that all the computers have at lease 2 Gb of RAM and adequate hard drive space.
The only possible problem I see is that one of the Powerbook laptops uses the old Motorola processor. (This is one of the last Powerbooks to use that processor.) I don’t think this computer can be upgraded to Snow Leopard.
My question is, if I upgrade 2 of the computers (and iTunes in the process), will I still be able to access the shared iTunes library using the older computer with the older system and iTunes? Will the upgrade process change the iTunes library in such a way that the one older computer will no longer be able to properly access that library?
Are there any other problems I might encounter having a mixed system/iTunes environment?
Thank you,
Tim

iantoole wrote:
Just a thought. Should I somehow open iTunes on MBP2 using MBP1's Library file??
both Macs can access the same library file, however, only one at a time !
to do that, you would ideally have the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) on the external. then, on one Mac after the other, launch iTunes while holding the option key, click on +choose library+ when prompted, and select the iTunes folder on the external.
or, you could have two separate libraries and keep those in sync using third party tools such as Syncopation, TuneRanger or SuperSync.
for purchases from the iTunes store, you could set up _*Home Sharing*_ - it can be configured to automatically transfer new purchases to home shared libraries.
Can I create a script to have MBP1 always save the iTunes Library file on the shared hard drive?
no need.
JGG

Ipod recognized by windows, not in itunes (multiple computers)

4th gen ipod click wheel + windows 2003 server w/ firewire and/or Vista notebook w/ USB + itunes 7.1.
Both of my Windows machines see the ipod fine. I made sure there are no drive letter conflicts.
Itunes just never recognizes the ipod. Strangely, if I run the ipod diagnostics all systems check out green. I can see the name and serial number of the ipod in the log and everything. I tried putting the ipod in disk mode and I still have the same issue.
Since itunes doesn't see it, I can't restore. Could I use Windows to reformat it?

Well, I decided that it couldn't hurt and went ahead and did a format of the drive from within Windows using the cmd prompt "format i: /x /fs:fat32"
When it was done, I unplugged it from USB, the ipod restarted and when I plugged it back in iTunes found it once again.
I'm back in business and someone might want to update a FAQ somewhere letting people know that formatting might help them too.

Music and Video on Nas in folders but how do i set up itunes on multiple computers to see and use these files and create libraries?

Music and Video on Nas in folders but how do i set up itunes on multiple computers to see and use these files and create libraries?
So i have had a itunes set up on my old PC, bought a NAS and copied the folders over to the NAS, i did this incorrectly and so then even when i told the old PC to use that folder it saw all the songs but wasnt able to play the songs as it was looking in the incorrect place.
So now i want my Mac as well as my PC and others to all use the music, videos etc on the NAS they are in itunes friendly folders (as they were compiled this way by the itunes on the old PC.
When i tell the mac to use the itunes library.itl file it sees the song list (about 100gb) but cant see any songs, so i have removed this file to another location for now with the hope to set up a new file and then get it to see the songs on the folder from the NAS.
Can someone tell me how to do this for all the Mac's and PC's on my network as i really want one master library that all use and add too.
Thanks for your help in advance.

I have the same question but I am using two pc's

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
Any ideas how I can do this?

eyeinit,
You can authorize your iTunes account on up to 5 computers at a time.
However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Hope this helps,
Nathan C.

Syncing the same iTunes library among multiple computers

I have two computers, a Windows 7 laptop and a new iMac. iTunes on both computers are signed into the same Apple ID. I currently have my iTunes library on my laptop, but I would like to also have the exact same library on my iMac. For instance, if I download a new podcast to my laptop, it should be placed on my iMac as well. When I delete the podcast, it should be deleted on the iMac too. When song metadata is updated on my laptop (play count, lyrics, etc), I want it updated on the iMac automatically.
I have not had much experience with Home Sharing, but would that do all of this automatically? I know I could manually transfer songs from one computer to the other using Home Sharing, but what about updated metadata or deleting files?
iCloud has made this situation more interesting. I know iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match will keep music files in sync among various devices (including metadata?), but what about podcasts or movies or files not purchased via iTunes? I know there are plenty of details that are yet to be released concerning iCloud, but do you think it will solve this problem entirely, or will manual labor be required to obtain the exact same library among multiple computers?
I have considered only using my iMac to maintain my library, since it is always on and I could use Home Sharing to listen to music on my laptop since they are on the same Wifi network. However, I feel it would be best to keep the same library on two computers for when I take my laptop on vacation away from my home network.
What would you suggest for this situation?
Thanks!

sorry about the slight irrelevence of this post on this thread....i saw this much older post you had in my explorations and it is almost to a "T" my issue currently and i was wondering if you ever came to a conclusion or had any tips or resolution paths i could explore. your original message:
     I have 2 computers I'd like to set up Home Sharing on. One is Windows XP and the other is Windows 7.
     I set it all up but then the libraries never show up. Nothing happens.
     The computers are on the same network and I can successfully share files and a printer. Both computers are      authorized using the same account. Both are signed into that account.
     I don't know why it's not working. Can you please help?
          Thanks!!
is EXACTLY my problem with the only variable being that both of my computers run 7. furthermore, you went on to say you were experiencing issues with the "remote" app. that was the initial objective for me in my system that got me here with a deeper problem with home share. i want to home share my itunes library and control it from my iPod touch 4g. is that such an unreasonable request?!?!? lol. i'm incredibly frustrated and was hoping that since you had such specifically similar circumstances....have you found a solution? PLEASE HELP!!! thank you so much for your time.

Using single iTunes library for multiple computers

With the new Airport Disk utility, can I attach an external hard drive with my iTunes library and have multiple computers point to that library as the library for each?

BKRonline wrote:
neptune2000 wrote:
A BIG WARNING (...) If you are a good guy and use ONLY one computer to read/write (i.e., to copy music to it) and all the others are read only (which cannot be enforced in software), then you're OK. Consider yourself warned.
just to clarify...
Use ONE computer and ONE COMPUTER ONLY for purchasing / adding new content to the 'master' iTunes library area. Use ANY OTHER COMPUTER that's looking at that 'master' iTunes library for reading (playing back).
Yes. If you can enforce it by "persuasion", not software
Would there be a conflict if someone rates songs from other computers etc?
Yes. If they both rate at the same time.

Same iTunes Library on Multiple Computers

I was wondering whether someone could help me out a little here. I have 3 computers at home. A MacBook Pro, a Windows Vista Laptop and a Windows Vista desktop PC. Both my Wife and I have iPods (mine an iPhone and hers an 8Gb 2nd Generation Nano).
What I want to be able to do is access my iTunes music collection (the music files are currently stored on the MacBook) through any computer in the house (I have wireless through Time Capsule). This I am told is easy through iTunes sharing, however this does not allow you to connect your iPod to any machine and update it, as sharing does allow this.
Is there a way of storing the iTunes library and files on one machine, like a central server and then you can play music from any computer (perhaps using iTunes on that machine) and you can also plugin your iPod/iPhone into any machine in order to update it?
Looking forward to hearing peoples suggestions on this one.
Thanks.

Hello
Try this website:
http://theappleblog.com/2008/10/13/one-itunes-library-on-multiple-computers/
I have been using this solution with my Library and Music situated on a NAS for awhile now with great success.
Hope this helps.
Kevin

How to use iPhone with multiple computers on iTunes 11?

Both of my computers are Windows 7. I try to manage my music and videos on both iTunes. I used to be easy, like you just check the "Manually manage music and videos" square, and everything is fine... But after I update to iTunes 11, it just doesn't work. There is no resulting dialog box coming up where I can click "OK" after I checked square, and no matter I click "apply" below or "done" above, the iTunes asks to erase and sync with the iPhone. After it syncs, the "Manually manage music and videos" is checked. But if I move to another computer another iTunes, then it says I'm already syncing with one iTunes, and it needs to erase and sync with my iPhone again... and of course, the "Manually manage music and videos" is unchecked on this iTunes... If I try to check that on this one.. it's the same story happened before... Basically, there is just no way I can use one iPhone on two iTunes 11, is it?

Sync iPod/iPad/iPhone with two computers
Although it isn't possible to sync an Apple device with two different libraries it is possible to sync with the same logical library from multiple computers. Each library has an internal ID and when iTunes connects to your iPod/iPad/iPhone it compares the local ID with the one the device normally syncs with. If they are the same you can go ahead and sync...
I have my library cloned to a small 1Tb USB drive which I can take between home & work. At either location I use SyncToy 2.1 to update the local copy with the external drive. Mac users should be able to find similar tools. I can open either of the local libraries or the one on the external drive and update the media content of my iPhone. The slight exception is Photos which normally connects to a specific folder on a specific machine, although that can easily be remapped to the current library if you create a "Photos" folder inside the iTunes Media folder so that syncing the iTunes folders keeps this up to date as well. I periodically sweep my library for new files & orphans with iTunes Folder Watch just in case I make changes at one location but then overwrite the library with a newer copy from the other. Again Mac users should be able to find similar tools.
As long as your media is organised within an iTunes Music or Tunes Media folder, in turn held inside the main iTunes folder that has your library files (whether or not you let iTunes keep the media folder organised) each library can access items at the same relative path from the library folder so the library can be at different drives/paths on different machines. This solution ensures I always have adequate backups of my library and I can update my devices whenever I can connect to the same build of iTunes.
When working with an iPhone earlier builds of iTunes would remove any file not physically present in the local library, even if there was an entry for it, making manual management practically redundant on the iPhone. This behaviour has been changed but it will still only permit manual management with a library that has the correct internal ID. If you don't want to sync your library between machines on a regular basis just copy the iTunes Library.itl file from the current "home" machine to any other you want to use, then clean out the library entires and import the local content you have on that box.
tt2

Can I have multiple computers accessing one iTunes library simultaneously?

I've purchased a Lacie Network HD that I'm keeping all of my iTunes on. I've put an alias to the iTunes library from that drive in the music folders of the computers I want to access and update it. That all works well. The only problem is that both computers cannot have iTunes running at the same time. I get an error stating that the library is locked. It would appear that I can't have multiple computers accessing the library at the same time. Is there a work around for this aside from doing network sharing via iTunes? The reason I don't want to do that is that I want both computers to have access to the actual files if I'm using the various iLife apps that use iTunes.

Scott
The only problem is that both computers cannot have iTunes running at the same time. I get an error stating that the library is locked. It would appear that I can't have multiple computers accessing the library at the same time
This is true. It's not a server app.
The nearest thing would be a library file on each machine pointing to the same set of music files. However, you might have problems if both machines try to access a particulat track at the same time. Also, changes made on one machine would not be reflected in the other. So if you rip a CD on one, the files will also have to be 'imported' to the other.
Regards
TD

I have multiple computers set up on homesharing under one itunes account. Can I use face time on all of them or do i need seperate accounts for each?

I have multiple computers set up on homesharing under one itunes account. Can I use face time on all of them or do i need seperate accounts for each?

I'd suggest you consider a cloud-based file sharing service such as Dropbox for this sort of use. iOS is not designed to be synched with more than one iTunes library at a time, so attempting to use it as you describe, connecting a single iPad to multiple computers, almost certainly won't work as you intend and is likely to cause nothing but headaches.
Regads.

Itunes on multiple computers and icloud

I have itunes 10.4.1 on my home computer and on my work computer (both on same account). Is it possible to transfer downloads on one computer to the other using icloud?

is it possible to use icloud to sync my itunes on multiple computers (imac and macbook air)?
Yes. On both Macs open System Preferences > Store. Make sure Music is switched on.
And for "sharing" read here > iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer

ITunes on multiple computers

I am purchasing a new iMac and I am keeping my old 17" MacBook Pro (it's 4 years old). Right now I am keeping my iTunes on an external HDD. I have it connected to my MacBook Pro via firewire 800. The reason I originally put iTunes on the external HDD was because I was running out of HDD space on MacBook Pro (it's only got a 120GB HDD). I have an older Apple Airport Extreme.
My question is when the new iMac arrives how do I use my external HDD (with iTunes still on it) with the new iMac. My other question is, right now when I try to access iTunes (without external HDD attached) it asks me to either create an iTunes library or choose an existing one. I realize it's because my external is not hooked up, but once I get the new iMac and get my library working with it, should I just create a new library on my MacBook Pro? Also is it even possible to have one iTunes account on multiple computers?
Or would it be easier to hook up the external HDD to the airport extreme via USB and change the path on the new iMac? And that way both computers could access the external HDD, even though the USB connection would be a lot slower then the Firewire 800.
Thanks in advance
Message was edited by: BillyJack

Use the external as you do now. Whenever necessary start iTunes with the option key held down so you can direct it to the correct library location on the external. Shouldn't be necessary to do this too often other than the first time, and maybe not even then if you successfully migrate all your settings from your old machine to the new first.

Having one iTunes music library for multiple computers via TimeCapsule

Hi there,
I'm just wondering how to best set-up my iTunes library. I want the library on my TimeCapsule wireless hard drive, and to be able to set this as the library for multiple computers at home. It's a waste of space to have duplicate libraries on both computers.I had this working with an earlier version of iTunes, but its not working now.
I also want to know how I can get the wireless device to fire up simply by pressing the iTunes icon. If I do this without, iTunes says it can't find the library.
Thanks.

Frank, yes. Only one library of the songs and content if it's stuff from the Music Store.
If the music is your own CD rips, then you can put all the music on a central server and have all the computers connect in on your home network.
You do NOT set your iTunes to share their libraries, or look for shared libraries, you manually do the drag-and-drop with your networked music folder into the iTunes library window and each copy of iTunes behaves as if the network volume is it's own.
The only shortcoming to this is if you add music with one machine, the others will NOT have the new songs added to their own library lists unless you drag and drop the songs into the iTunes library manually for each computer.
I have enough music that I have broken down the library list into five folders, A-E, F-J, K-O, P-T, and U-Z. When I add new songs, the folders they're in will be added at the root Music Library folder level, so I can refresh the libraries with the new music THEN manually file it into one of those five correct folders.
This is what my network library looks like:
http://home.comcast.net/~foodandart/Network%20Library.jpg - you can see that I haven't added the Clapton, BBC, Roxy Music, etc, to the library lists for the entire house.
The G4 frankenbeast computer in our living room, is the media server for the house and has the stereo system rigged through it and is used to rip vinyl and watch the video. I still have to refresh the libraries in my husband's laptop, and on my main internet computer, so those albums haven't been filed yet.
Of course the caveat here is that I haven't a single item that's purchased through the Music Store and thusly locked down, since I rip my own LP's and CD's, so everything is much more flexible in how I can handle it.
Deb.

Newbie question about setting up iTunes to sync across multiple computers

Hi,
Right now I am using iTunes primarily for listening to streaming radio. However in about 2-3 weeks after I move, I am considering importing all my CDs into iTunes.
So my question is this. What can I do before I start that will make my life easier for syncing my iTunes across multiple computers.
I don't expect the computers to connect to each via internet but I do have a 4 GB flash disk and 230 GB firewire drive that could be used. And since one of the computers is MacBook Pro, I could use it in target mode I think.
Thanks.

Authorization only applies to computers. When you update a device any protected content on the device for which the library is not authorised will be removed. Otherwise no attempt is made to remove content that was added by a now deauthorised library.
There is a separate scheme permitting up to 10 devices (computers, iPhones, iPad or iPod touches) to be registered for automatic downloads of your purchases with a different mechanism for deregistering devices.
Once you have a file on your computer you can physically copy it to any other computer in the same way that you would copy any other file like a Word document, put it on a disk, email it if not too large, burn it to DVD, stick it on an external hard drive or move it over a network. You can use Get Info. To tell you where it is now and you can drop it into the library at the other end.
The user tip shows how to backup the whole library and then update that backup efficiently. Such a backup to a portable drive also provides a possible tool for transporting any content to another computer.
tt2

ITunes multiple computers

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